Articles

Flying Cheap Boosts Filipino Travel

Flying cheap made more Filipinos travel, with low-cost carriers (LCCs) accounting for 96% of total domestic air travel growth from 2006 to 2011, as opposed to full-service carriers contributing only 4 percent.

United Said to Talk Exclusively With Boeing on 200 Jets

United Continental Holdings Inc. (UAL) is negotiating only with Boeing Co. (BA) for an order of about 200 narrow-body jets after dropping discussions with Airbus SAS (EAD), two people familiar with the matter said.

UPDATE 1-Agility files $225 mln suit against U.S. agency

(Reuters) - Kuwaiti logistics company Agility said on Tuesday it had filed for $225 million in claims against the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), saying the agency had breached the terms of a contract.

Qantas eyes Singapore base

Jetstar Japan takes delivery of its first Airbus A320 aircraft

Jetstar Japan, one of Japan’s newest low-cost carriers (LCC), has taken delivery of its first Airbus A320 aircraft in Toulouse, France. The Japanese carrier will start commercial services in July operating from Narita to Kansai, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Okinawa with an initial fleet of three aircraft. This fleet will grow to 24 aircraft within three years.

Agility of Kuwait files $225m US fees claim

Agility, a logistics company based in Kuwait, is claiming US$225 million (Dh826.4m) in unpaid fees and damages from the US government over an alleged breach of its contract to supply foodstuffs to the US military in Kuwait and Iraq.

Airlines back probe of customs airport overtime pay padding

The airline industry will cooperate with the Ombudsman in investigating a complaint filed by airport customs examiners against their immediate superiors for allegedly padding their overtime claims with airline companies, and pocketing, instead of distributing properly, the money collected.

Airlines seek Customs overtime padding probe

MANILA, Philippines - The airline industry is willing to cooperate with the Ombudsman in investigating a complaint filed by airport Customs examiners against their immediate superiors for allegedly padding their overtime claims with airline companies, and pocketing, instead of distributing properly, the money collected.

Australia Mulls Second Commercial Airport

CANBERRA (Dow Jones) – The Australian government is looking again at sites for a second commercial airport in Sydney, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said Friday as he released a new study into the city's aviation needs.

JAL 787s May Fly to Madrid, Berlin After Boston Debut

Japan Airlines Co., which began Boston services yesterday with its new Boeing Co. (BA) 787, may also use the fuel-efficient plane on routes to Spain and Germany as it bolster services to smaller cities.

Cathay offloads 'unruly' consul

MANILA, Philippines - A Hong Kong-bound Cathay Pacific flight turned back shortly after takeoff yesterday from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and was delayed by half an hour to offload what airline crew said was an “unruly” honorary Filipino consul.

Qantas A380 Back In Service

SINGAPORE (AFP) – A Qantas Airbus A380 jet that dramatically lost an engine in a mid-air blast off Singapore in November 2010 was formally handed back to the Australian flag carrier Saturday after extensive repairs.

Cathay Pacific Warns It May Have To Park Planes, Cut Flights

HONG KONG (Dow Jones)--Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. (0293.HK) warned that the airline may have to park aircraft and reduce flights if weakening demand and high fuel costs persist, underscoring the troubles faced by the global airline industry.

'Airports must adopt 24/7 operations'

MANILA, Philippines - The government’s decision to stop charging airlines for the overtime of customs and other airport personnel and adopt a 24/7 operation as practiced all over the world will make the country more competitive and hence more attractive to business and tourists, foreign and local airlines said in a statement.

Aviation Supports 24 Million Jobs In The Asia Pacific Region

MANILA, Philippines — Over 24 million jobs and $470 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) in the Asia-Pacific region are supported by aviation, according to a new report by the Air Transport Action Group(ATAG) and Oxford Economics.

3 Airlines Slug It Out In Highly Profitable Animal Airlift

MANILA, Philippines — An African white rhinoceros peers through the bars of its Frankfurt compound, while across the floor a Madagascan chameleon inches around its vivarium and an Andean alpaca plucks hay from a bale.

Low-Cost Carrier Jetstar Japan Takes To The Air July 3

MANILA, Philippines — Jetstar Japan Co., the budget carrier backed by Qantas Airways Ltd. and Japan Airlines Co., said it plans to operate at least four bases in the country as it prepares to start flights on July 3.

U.S. airlines seen posting Q1 loss, 2012 profit

(Reuters) - Rising fuel prices pushed major U.S. airlines into the red for the first quarter and could pressure results during the peak travel season, but most carriers are likely to be profitable this year, analysts said.

Air Seychelles Operation Changes from May 2012

As per 09APR12 GDS timetable and inventory display, Air Seychelles is adjusting operations from 01MAY12. From this date, Air Seychelles’ operation will be operated by ETIHAD aircraft. Its Boeing 767 aircraft is tentatively scheduled for final flight on 30APR12, Seychelles – Abu Dhabi. However, schedule after June is still displaying 767 operation to Johannesburg.

LEAD: First commercial flight to space station set for April 30 / EDS: Adds details of flight, cargo, Space X quotes

April 17--WASHINGTON -- The first commercial spacecraft due to dock with the International Space Station looks ready for an April 30 launch, the US space agency NASA and commercial firm Space X said Monday.

CEB Puts Mindanao, ASEAN Routes On Sale For June-August

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Pacific (CEB) slashes fares on all its Mindanao routes and ASEAN destinations including Malaysia and Singapore from April 17-19, 2012 or until seats last. This is for travel from June 1 to August 31, 2012.

PAL seen breaching 10-million passenger mark this year

MANILA, Philippines - From a full load of five passengers on its maiden flight to Baguio back in 1941, Philippine Airlines (PAL) today has carried more than 300 million passengers over the last seven decades – a feat unequalled by any other local carrier.

MIAA wants vintage airplanes removed

MANILA, Philippines - The Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) yesterday asked the owners of about a dozen vintage airplanes to remove them from the general aviation area because they are eyesores and safety hazards.

Purisima orders 24/7 shifting of personnel at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima has ordered the Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other agencies to assign employees at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) 24 hours daily and stop charging international airlines the overtime pay of government personnel working at the airport.

Casiño wants probe on CAAP's inadequate fire trucks

MANILA, Philippines - Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño has called for an investigation into the reported lack of crash fire response (CFR) fire trucks and personnel in several of the country’s international airports.

Regulator backs San Miguel purchase of PAL stockholder

THE CIVIL AERONAUTICS Board (CAB) has thrown its support behind San Miguel Corp.’s buy-in into flag carrier Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL), saying such investments to grow the industry were encouraged.

Omni Aviation acquires state-of-the-art flight stimulators

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga—Omni Aviation Corp., the country’s most reputable flight school, has taken flight training to another level following its recent acquisition of two highly advanced flight simulators from the United States.

PAL opens Hong Kong-Kalibo route

MANILA, Philippines–Tourists who visit Hong Kong will soon just be a short plane ride away to the world-famous, fine sand beaches of Boracay as Philippine Airlines (PAL) opens a direct Hong Kong-Kalibo flight starting April 27.

Etihad Airways sales climb 28% in first quarter

MANILA, Philippines - Etihad Airways continued its industry-leading growth in the first quarter of 2012, with a 28 percent rise in revenue to $ 989 million over the corresponding period in 2011 and passenger numbers soaring by 500,000 to 2.4 million.

Airbus closes in on $2.5 billion Indonesian deal

(Reuters) - Indonesia's Garuda (GIAA.JK) is close to buying A330 jets worth about $2.5 billion from Europe's Airbus, two people familiar with the deal said, strengthening a bonanza for Western planemakers as the archipelago nation latches on to a boom in air travel.

PH, South Korea sign new air services agreement

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines and South Korea have agreed to increase flights between the two countries amid growing demand for travel in the Asia Pacific region, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said.

Ang to take over as PAL president

MANILA, Philippines - With San Miguel Corp. (SMC) taking over management control of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), the former is set to implement a number of changes aimed at putting the long-suffering airline back on its feet.

Philippines, Qatar sign 5 business agreements

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino and Emir Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani witnessed the signing of five agreements to enhance business relations between the Philippines and Qatar at Malacañang yesterday.

DoTC Reviewing FAA Audit Results

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) said it is considering taking on a more hands-on approach on government’s efforts to regain Category 1 aviation safety status.

20 flights over Philippines on N. Korean rocket path rerouted

MANILA, Philippines — Several airlines will reroute flights over the Philippines to avoid a rocket North Korea is expected to launch between this and next week, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said Tuesday.

PAL, AirPhil set refleeting programs

Philippine Airlines, which recently took in the San Miguel Corp as a new investor, is seen investing as much as $1 billion for a fleet modernization program that will make the storied flag carrier more competitive.

Pinnacle Airlines flies into bankruptcy

(Reuters) - Pinnacle Airlines Corp (PNCL.O) filed for bankruptcy protection late on Sunday, as the U.S. regional airline fell victim to high fuel prices and dampened travel demand that has negatively impacted some of the major players in the industry.

Qantas Raises Surcharges By 9.7%

MANILA, Philippines — Qantas Airways Ltd., Australia’s largest carrier, said it will raise fuel surcharges as much as 9.7 percent on some routes and rein in capacity growth as higher global jet-fuel prices cut into profitability.

San Miguel still in talks for airline acquisition

DIVERSIFIED CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. yesterday said it remains in negotiations with Philippines Airlines (PAL) Chairman Lucio C. Tan to acquire a stake in the flag carrier amid reports that a buy-in was approved on Monday.

PAL board set to discuss Ang offer

MANILA, Philippines - Business tycoon Lucio Tan, chairman and majority owner of flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), is expected to finally present to the PAL board of directors for approval the terms of the offer made by San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to acquire at least a 40-percent stake in PAL, The STAR learned.

Ramon Ang wants to build airport in Bulacan

I was not surprised when CAAP Director General Ramon Gutierrez told me last week that San Miguel’s Ramon S. Ang wants to build an international airport in a fairly large property owned by San Miguel in Bulacan. I thought that RSA might have gotten tired waiting for government to build a decent airport, he will build it himself.

'Hefty OT pay, allowances for airport Customs personnel unnecessary'

MANILA, Philippines - Executives of international airlines operating in the country, particularly at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), yesterday said that the hefty overtime pay and other allowances being demanded by airport Customs personnel were unnecessary.

Aquino supports P12-B budget terminal in Clark

CLARK FREEPORT — Department of Transportation and Communications Secretary Mar Roxas said President Benigno Aquino III will support plans to establish a P12-billion budge terminal at the Clark International Airport.

Fiji takes control of national carrier Air Pacific from Qantas

(Reuters) - Fiji's military government on Wednesday said it would take control of national carrier Air Pacific from Australia's Qantas Airways (QAN.AX) using a decree that states "substantial ownership and effective control" of all Fijian airlines should be local.